US4103563A - Method and structure for orienting a bicycle pedal - Google Patents

Method and structure for orienting a bicycle pedal Download PDF

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Publication number
US4103563A
US4103563A US05/769,694 US76969477A US4103563A US 4103563 A US4103563 A US 4103563A US 76969477 A US76969477 A US 76969477A US 4103563 A US4103563 A US 4103563A
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Prior art keywords
pedal
shaft
cyclist
crank
bicycle
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US05/769,694
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English (en)
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Claude Genzling
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Individual
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62M—RIDER PROPULSION OF WHEELED VEHICLES OR SLEDGES; POWERED PROPULSION OF SLEDGES OR SINGLE-TRACK CYCLES; TRANSMISSIONS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR SUCH VEHICLES
    • B62M3/00—Construction of cranks operated by hand or foot
    • B62M3/08—Pedals
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62M—RIDER PROPULSION OF WHEELED VEHICLES OR SLEDGES; POWERED PROPULSION OF SLEDGES OR SINGLE-TRACK CYCLES; TRANSMISSIONS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR SUCH VEHICLES
    • B62M3/00—Construction of cranks operated by hand or foot
    • B62M3/08—Pedals
    • B62M3/083—Toe clip
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T74/00—Machine element or mechanism
    • Y10T74/20—Control lever and linkage systems
    • Y10T74/20576—Elements
    • Y10T74/20888—Pedals
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T74/00—Machine element or mechanism
    • Y10T74/21—Elements
    • Y10T74/2164—Cranks and pedals
    • Y10T74/2168—Pedals
    • Y10T74/2169—Counterbalanced
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T74/00—Machine element or mechanism
    • Y10T74/21—Elements
    • Y10T74/2164—Cranks and pedals
    • Y10T74/2168—Pedals
    • Y10T74/217—Pedals with toe or shoe clips

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to bicycles.
  • the present invention relates to the manner in which bicycle pedals are supported.
  • the present invention relates in particular to the pedals of bicycles used for racing and relates in particular to arrangements to facilitate the engagement of the foot of the cyclist with the pedal.
  • the bicycle In connection with bicycles intended to be used in sporting competitions such as racing, all parts of the bicycle are designed so as to enhance as much as possible the efficiency with which the energy of the cyclist is utilized, while also attempting to prevent as much as possible any loss of time.
  • the wheels of a bicycle are made as light as possible without reducing the strength thereof, and on the other hand the bicycle wheels are provided with structures which enable the wheels to be quickly replaced in the case of puncture of a tire, for example.
  • each pedal is mounted on a shaft carried by a rotary crank of the bicycle in such a way as to be freely rotatable with respect to this shaft, suitable ball bearings being utilized for this purpose, the pedal and shaft rotating one with respect to the other through a complete revolution during each revolution of the rotary crank.
  • the pedal is maintained at all times in a generally horizontal attitude by the foot of the cyclist.
  • the pedal is capable of transmitting to the shaft projecting from the rotary crank the force which will rotate the latter crank at the same time the pedal is perfectly free at all times to rotate with respect to the shaft on which it is mounted.
  • each pedal is provided with a toe clip generally in the form of a flexible strip extending forwardly from and forming an extension of the upper supporting surface of the pedal, this strip after extending forwardly beyond the upper pedal surface being curved upwardly and rearwardly so as to receive the toe region of the shoe of the cyclist.
  • a free end of this flexible strip is situated over a rear portion of the pedal and is connected with a strap which extends transversely around the shoe of the cyclist while being connected to the pedal at a rear portion thereof.
  • the result of the above conventional construction is that the entire assembly of the pedal and toe clip has a certain unbalance which when the pedal is not engaged by the cyclist orients the pedal with the normally upper surface thereof turned downwardly while the toe clip is situated to the rear of and below the shaft which carries the pedal, the toe clip and pedal being inclined at an angle of approximately 30°-40° with respect to a horizontal plane when the operator does not have his shoe on the bicycle pedal.
  • a device such as a bicycle pedal can be properly oriented automatically to assume a position for convenient placing of a shoe of the cyclist on the pedal or equivalent device without any loss of time and in a completely safe manner.
  • a force automatically acts on the pedal so as to provide for the latter an attitude where the upper surface of the pedal is substantially horizontal and directed upwardly at least when a rotary crank of the bicycle has turned through an angle of 90° beyond the top dead center position of the rotary crank, this latter attitude of the pedal being achieved without any mechanical connection between the pedal and the structure carrying the same.
  • the above automatic orienting of the pedal in its operating attitude when the crank has turned through approximately 90° beyond its top dead center position is clearly the best possible position of the pedal to be engaged by the shoe of the cyclist with this shoe being easily received at the top surface of the pedal and in a toe clip carried thereby when the rotary crank extends substantially horizontally after having turned through approximately 90° beyond its top dead center position.
  • the toe clip may have a construction as shown in French Pat. Nos. 2,191,411 and 2,192,525.
  • the above feature of automatically orienting the pedal in its operating attitude after the rotary crank has turned through approximately 90° beyond its top dead center position is selected because in this way the easiest possible access to the pedal is achieved, for example in order to fasten a strap of the toe clip, while on the other hand the position of the rotary crank at an angle of approximately 90° beyond its top dead center position situates the pedal at a location for achieving a strong starting drive for the bicycle.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a conventional driving structure of a bicycle with FIG. 1 showing both operating and non-operating positions of a bicycle pedal;
  • FIG. 2 is a fragmentary partly sectional and schematic illustration of one possible embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 3A is a fragmentary partly sectional and partly schematic illustration of another embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 3B is a partly schematic and partly sectional transverse view of the structure of FIG. 3A;
  • FIG. 3C is a fragmentary schematic illustration of part of the adjusting structure of FIG. 3A;
  • FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a pedal and toe-clip structure with FIG. 4 showing in section how the pedal is attached to a shaft which carries the pedal;
  • FIG. 5 is a transverse partly sectional illustration of a further embodiment of the invention adapted to be used as a slight modification of the structure of FIG. 4;
  • FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional axial illustration of the structure of FIG. 5.
  • FIG. 1 there are schematically illustrated therein the components of a pedal mechanism of a bicycle.
  • This mechanism includes a rotary drive shaft 10 supported for rotation by a suitable bearing structure carried by the relatively short transverse tube which is conventionally situated at the lower part of the bicycle frame which is not illustrated.
  • This drive shaft 10 fixedly carries at one end a sprocket wheel 11, which may be a single or multiple sprocket wheel assembly, the teeth of the sprocket wheel engaging a chain which transmits the drive to the rear wheel.
  • the free ends of the shaft 10 are fixedly connected with a pair of diametrically opposed cranks 12 and 13 each of which forms a rotary crank means.
  • Each of the cranks 12 and 13 fixedly carries at its outer free end a shaft which projects at one end from each crank, parallel to the shaft 10, and these shafts projecting horizontally from the cranks 12 and 13 respectively support for free rotary movement the pedals 14 and 15 shown in FIG. 1.
  • Each pedal is formed by a substantially rigid metallic frame traversed by a central tubular hub which receives the shaft at the end of the crank 12 or 13, suitable ball bearings being provided to support the pedals 14 and 15 at their tubular hubs for free rotation with respect to the shafts which carry the pedals and which are fixed to the cranks 12 and 13.
  • Each pedal is also provided with a conventional toe clip in the form of an elastic strip 16, 17 and a flexible transverse strap 18, 19.
  • Each strip is fixed at one end to a transverse front part of each pedal, while forming an extension of the upper supporting surface of each pedal, each of the strips 16 and 17 then being curved upwardly and rearwardly so as to be capable of enveloping the toe region of a shoe.
  • Each of the strips 16 and 17 terminates in a loop through which the flexible strap 17, 18 passes, each strap itself being fastened across or even beneath each pedal at the region of the rear part thereof.
  • each pedal assembly including the pedal per se and the toe clip, has a center of gravity situated at an elevation higher than the shaft which carries each pedal when the pedal is in its normal position of use, which is to say a position where the upper surface of the pedal is substantially horizontal and directed upwardly while the toe clip is directed forwardly, as indicated for the pedal 14 and toe clip 16 of FIG. 1.
  • each pedal assembly when not engaged by the foot of the cyclist, will automatically assume an unbalanced position which is substantially inverted with respect to its operating position.
  • the pedal 14 is shown in the position of use occupied thereby when engaged by a shoe of the cyclist, the pedal 15 is shown in its position of non-use assumed thereby when a foot of the cyclist does not engage the pedal.
  • each pedal, such as the pedal 15, and the toe-clip structure connected thereto will automatically assume the position of non-use shown in FIG. 1 for the pedal 15 where the latter is inclined at an angle of approximately 30° with respect to a horizontal plane.
  • the toe clip structure is directed rearwardly rather than forwardly.
  • each pedal when not engaged by the foot of the operator will automatically assume, due to the center of gravity of the pedal and toe-clip structure connected thereto, a position inclined downwardly and rearwardly at an angle such as that illustrated for the pedal 15 in FIG. 1.
  • the pedal is automatically maintained in a position suitable to receive the foot of the cyclist without requiring any intervention on the part of the cyclist so that the cyclist is free of the above handicaps and risks as well as inconveniences.
  • the pedal means 20 supports for free rotary movement about a shaft 22 which at one end is fixed to and projects from an end of a rotary crank 21 corresponding to either of the cranks 12 and 13 of FIG. 1.
  • the pedal means 20 includes a central transversely extending tubular hub 23 at the interior opposed ends of which are situated ball bearings supporting the pedal means for free rotary movement with respect to the shaft 22.
  • the ends of the tubular hub 23 are centrally fixed to a pair of longitudinally extending side bars 24 and 25 the latter being connected at their front ends to a front transverse bar 26 and at their rear ends to a corresponding rear transverse bar which is not shown in FIG. 2, the section of FIG. 2 being taken just in front of the rear transverse bar.
  • the pedal means 20 is provided with an automatic device for holding and releasing the foot, this automatic device including a transversely extending curved toe-clip 27 supported by a pivot means 28 at the upper edge of the outer side bar 25 for turning movement with respect thereto between the upper solid line position which is the position of use and the lower dotted line position 27' which is the position of non-use when the foot is released.
  • this automatic device including a transversely extending curved toe-clip 27 supported by a pivot means 28 at the upper edge of the outer side bar 25 for turning movement with respect thereto between the upper solid line position which is the position of use and the lower dotted line position 27' which is the position of non-use when the foot is released.
  • the clip 27 will turn along the arc S between its operative and inoperative positions.
  • An unillustrated structure such as a suitable detent structure will releasably maintain the clip 27 in its operative and inoperative positions.
  • the clip 27 is fixed with a tubular member receiving a hinge pin which is fixed at one end, for example, to the side bar 25, spaced from and extending parallel to the top edge thereof, so that this sleeve which is fixed to the clip 27 can turn about this hinge pin, and the hinge pin is provided with a spring-pressed ball capable of being received in one recess or opening in the sleeve when the clip 27 is in the solid line position and in another opening or recess in the sleeve when the clip 27 is in the position 27', so that through such a structure it is possible to releasably maintain the clip in either of the positions thereof shown in FIG. 2.
  • FIG. 2 includes a plate 29 guided for vertical sliding movement for example by the rear transverse bar of the pedal.
  • This rear transverse bar may, for example, have at its front inner face a pair of forwardly extending ribs between which the side edges of the plate 29 are located with these ribs guiding the plate 29 by engaging its side edges for vertical movement between the solid and dotted line positions illustrated in FIG. 2.
  • Both the curved clip member 27 and the plate 29 serve to hold and release the shoe of the cyclist.
  • the plate 29 is capable of moving in the direction indicated by the dot-dash line T between the upper and lower locking and unlocking positions illustrated in FIG. 2.
  • FIG. 2 The important feature of the embodiment of FIG. 2 resides in the movement of the elements 27 and 29 between their locking solid line positions shown in FIG. 2 and their release, dotted line positions shown in FIG. 2.
  • the entire assembly of the pedal means and components 27 and 29 provides the center of gravity G while the movement of the components 27 and 29 to their unlocking, dotted line positions 27' and 29' displaces the center of gravity of the assembly down to the location Go.
  • This arrangement locates the center of gravity Go beneath the tubular hub 23 of the pedal means.
  • the lower center of gravity Go automatically maintains the pedal means 20 at an attitude which is at least approximately the same attitude which the pedal means has when engaged by the foot of the operator, so that there is the greatest possible convenience for the operator who is capable of engaging his foot with the pedal irrespective of the angular position of the crank 21.
  • the side bar 25 of the pedal fixedly carries an L-shaped member 80 which in turn fixedly carries a pair of rearwardly extending pins 82 which extend through a horizontal slot 84 formed in a plate 86 which is thus guided by the pins 82 for movement to the right and left, as viewed in FIG. 2, this plate 86 having its right end, as viewed in FIG. 2, situated in the path of downward swinging movement of the clip 27 from the solid to the dotted line position thereof, so that when the clip 27 reaches the position 27' the plate 86 is shifted to the left to the position illustrated in FIG. 2.
  • This plate 86 is formed with an inclined slot 88 receiving a pin 90 which is fixed to and extends forwardly from the plate 29.
  • the plate 29 has its opposed lower ends connected to a pair of springs 92 which in turn are connected to the lower edges of the side bars 24 and 25.
  • FIGS. 3A-3C there is schematically illustrated therein a pedal means 30 supported for free rotation on a shaft 32 which is fixed at one end to the outer free end of the fragmentarily illustrated crank 31.
  • the pedal means 30 has a central tubular hub 33 supported for free rotation with respect to the shaft 32.
  • This pedal means 30 includes a pair of longitudinally extending side bars 34 and 35, respectively fixed to the inner and outer ends of the hub 33, as well as front and rear transversely extending bars 36 and 37 interconnected at their outer free ends by a curved outer guard 35'.
  • the front face of the front transverse bar 36 is fixedly connected with a conventional toe-clip 38 while in this embodiment the inner side bar 34 is prolonged at its rear so as to have a tab portion 39.
  • a permanent magnet 40 is fixed to the outer side face of the crank 31 as by being embedded therein or glued thereto, or through any other suitable fixing means, this crank 31 customarily being made of stainless steel or a light alloy which is non-magnetic.
  • the permanent magnet 40 is situated at a distance r from the axis of the shaft 32, this distance r corresponding to the radial distance of the tab 39 from the axis of the shaft 32.
  • the distance r forms the radius of a circle which a center point of the tab 39 would circumscribe around the axis of the shaft 32.
  • the tab 39 fixedly carries a second permanent magnet 41 positioned so as to move past and in front of the first magnet 40, while defining a relatively narrow gap therewith, during each revolution of the crank 31.
  • the magnets 40 and 41 respectively have opposite poles directed toward each other so that they attract each other when they are situated in alignment with each other.
  • the magnet 41 can advantageously be situated at a central region of the tab 39 between a pair of additional permanent magnets 42 and 43 the polarities of which are reversed with respect to the polarity of the magnet 41 so that while the magnet 41 is attracted by the magnet 40 the magnets 42 and 43 are simultaneously repelled thereby.
  • the tab 39 does not carry any permanent magnets but instead is itself made of a magnetic material such as soft iron, in such a way that it will be attracted by the permanent magnet 40 simply as a result of having a lesser reluctance.
  • the magnet 40 operates to immobilize the pedal 39 in a position where the side bars 34 and 35 of the pedal 30 extend parallel to the crank 31 with the front bar 36 of the pedal situated beyond the free end of the crank 31 as illustrated in FIG. 3A.
  • the pedal means 30 reaches a position in the region of the position where the magnets 40 and 41 are in alignment with other, these magnets will attract to releasably hold the pedal 39 in the position where the magnets 40 and 41 are aligned with each other.
  • FIG. 1 when a pedal is not engaged by the foot of the operator it will of necessity pass through this position with respect to the crank during each revolution thereof.
  • this particular operative position of the pedal is the best possible position for developing a powerful starting drive for the bicycle when the operator pushes downwardly on the pedal with the latter situated at the front end of a forwardly and substantially horizontally extending crank. It is moreover to be noted that the above advantages are achieved without any substantial change in the construction of the pedal and at the cost of a minimum increase in weight, taking into account the forces which can be achieved from relatively small permanent magnets which are freely available at the present time, particularly those which are made of cobalt and rare earth, such as, for example, magnets made of Samarium. Moreover, it is to be noted that this construction will not be undesirably influenced in any way by various environmental factors, and in particular is not influenced by temperature changes or staining, or the like.
  • the efficiency with which the structure operates, as a corollary to the weight added thereby, depends primarily on the magnitude of the gap between the permanent magnet 40 carried by the crank and the tab 39 or the one or more magnets carried thereby.
  • the magnitude of this gap must be compatible with the possible play between these components in order to avoid any risk of mechanically blocking the free rotary movement of the pedal even after a long period of use.
  • the length of the tab 39 and thus of the moment arm r thereof with respect to the axis of the shaft 32 is necessarily limited. In other words when the magnet 41 is attracted by the magnet 40 the magnet 41 acts through the moment arm r to turn the pedal 30 to its position of alignment with the crank 31 as described above.
  • the structure does not interfere in any way with the normal operation of the pedal and in particular does not undesirably influence the efficiency of the operation of the foot of the cyclist on the pedal by providing any unreasonable braking or resistance to turning of the crank.
  • a means 44 (designated by an arrow in FIG. 3B) which, in response to the pressure of the foot of the cyclist, will bring about a retraction of the magnet 41 with respect to the magnet 40 as well as a retraction of the magnets 42 and 43 if they are utilized, so as to increase in this way the gap between the magnets during normal use of the pedal when it is engaged by the foot of the operator.
  • FIGS. 3A and 3C it is possible easily to achieve this result by connecting the magnet 41, and also the magnets 42 and 43 if they are utilized, to an L-shaped member 94 which is acted upon by a spring 96 compressed between the member 94 a member 98 fixed to and projecting rearwardly from the rear bar 37 of the pedal.
  • the magnet 41 is guided for movement in a slot of the tab 39 and carries a projection 100 which limits the movement of the magnet 41 to the left, as viewed in FIG. 3A.
  • the bar 37 fixedly carries a pivot pin 102 on which a lever 104 is mounted for turning movement, this lever 104 having an upper edge projecting upwardly beyond the upper edge of the bar 37.
  • FIG. 4 shows a pedal means 50 capable of having conventional parts thereof replaced by suitable components, in accordance with the present invention, so as to achieve the desired results, the parts which replace those of FIG. 4 being shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.
  • the pedal means 50 is schematically illustrated in FIG. 4 in a top plan view, which is to say looking at the upper surface of the pedal which is engaged by the shoe of the cyclist and which is maintained substantially horizontal during driving of the bicycle by the cyclist.
  • the pedal 50 is carried by a shaft 52 which is fixed to and projects from the outer end of the crank 51 shown in FIG. 4.
  • the pedal means 50 includes the central transverse tubular hub 53 which receives the shaft 52 and which houses at its opposed ends ball bearings which serve to support the pedal means 50 for free rotation with respect to the shaft 52.
  • the ball bearings include suitable races which hold the balls of the ball bearing in proper position as is apparent from the sectional part of the illustration in FIG. 4.
  • the pedal includes the front and rear transversely extending bar portions 54 and 55 as well as the side,longitudinally extending bar portions 57 and 58, the parallel front and rear bar portions 54 and 55 forming part of a metal stamping having an intermediate portion 56 suitably curved so as to form an outer guard, this metal stamping being riveted, for example, to the free ends of the side bars 57 and 58 which are integral with and project from the opposed end portions of the tubular hub 53.
  • the tubular hub 53 is closed at its outer end by a hollow cap or button 59 which prevents dust or other foreign matter from entering into the interior of the hub 53.
  • the pedal 50 is connected with a toe-clip 60 which includes a flexible metallic strip 61 one end of which is suitably curved and fixed by screws 62 to the front transverse bar 54 of the pedal 50.
  • a toe-clip 60 which includes a flexible metallic strip 61 one end of which is suitably curved and fixed by screws 62 to the front transverse bar 54 of the pedal 50.
  • the forwardly extending lower portion of the strip 61 forms an extension of the shoe-supporting surface of the pedal, while an elongated free end portion 63 of the strip 61, which has a cutout stamped therethrough, is curved rearwardly so as to be situated above the pedal, this elongated portion 63 terminating in a loop 64.
  • a flexible strap 65 extends, for example, through suitable slots formed in rear portions of the side bars 57 and 58 and through the loop 64 while also passing through a suitable opening formed in the guard 56, this strap having an adjustable fastening buckle 66 enabling the strap 65 to be adjusted for maintaining the shoe reliably on the pedal.
  • the latter result is achieved by way of the structure 70 of the invention which is illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6.
  • the structure 70 includes a hollow closure cap 71 carried by the outer free end of the tubular hub 53 and replacing the conventional cap 59.
  • the nut which is threaded onto the outer end of the shaft 52 in FIG. 4 in order to retain the outer race of the right ball bearing of FIG. 4 in position, is replaced by a fitting 72 formed with an interior thread and threaded onto the shaft 52 so as to function also to retain the outer race of the outer bearing in position as illustrated most clearly in FIG. 6.
  • the threaded member or fitting 72 thus forms part of the shaft 52 and is coaxially surrounded by a cylindrical portion of the cap 71 which forms part of the tubular hub 53 of the pedal.
  • the cylindrical part of the cap 71 and the fitting 72 are coaxial.
  • a ring 73 of a hard magnetic material is suitably fixed to the inner surface of the cylindrical portion of cap 71 as by being glued to the latter, for example, this ring 73 being made, for example, of ferrite and defining a relatively narrow cylindrical gap with a similar ring 74 which is mounted with a relatively small amount of friction on the exterior surface of the fitting 72.
  • the angular position of the ring 74 with respect to the fitting 72 is capable of being adjusted by way of a nut 75 threaded onto an outer thread of fitting 72 and engaging a free end of the ring 74 which is distant from the race of the ball bearing shown in FIG. 6.
  • the nut 75 it is possible to adjust the angular position of the ring 74 with respect to the axis of the shaft 52.
  • the outer end of the fitting 72 is formed with a slot to receive a screwdriver.
  • a screwdriver it is possible by way of a screwdriver, after the cap 71 has been removed, to thread the fitting 72 onto the outer threaded end of the shaft 52 so as to adjust the pressure with which the bearing race is held in position. Then the ring 74 can be turned to a selected angular position and the nut 75 can be tightened to hold the ring 74 in its adjusted angular position.
  • the rings 73 and 74 are magnetized at least locally in such a manner as to provide at their surfaces which face each other opposed magnetic poles angularly distributed in such a way as to be complementary but not uniform.
  • the distribution of the poles is selected so that only at a single angular position of the rings with respect to each other will the magnetic poles interact so as to attract each other and develop the magnetic force which is capable of preventing rotation of the pedal around the shaft 52 when the pedal is not engaged by the foot of the cyclist, so as to maintain the pedal when not engaged by the foot of the operator at a particular angular position with respect to the crank 51 which remains unchanged and uninfluenced by the lack of balance of the pedal and toe-clip assembly.
  • one of the rings can be provided with a single north pole and the other of the rings with a single south pole similarly situated so that with these poles respectively situated at the surfaces of the rings 73 and 74 which confront each other, there will be an angular attraction which will maintain the pedal in a preselected angular position with respect to the crank 51 when the pedal is not engaged by the cyclist.
  • each ring has north and south poles which are diametrically opposed, or more simply each ring is magnetized in a diametral plane thus providing the most convenient distribution for rendering the tubular ferrite components operative for the purposes of the invention.
  • suitable poles can be provided by way of magnetic plugs or bars which are suitably fitted at and fastened in any suitable way to the surfaces of the rings 73 and 74 which confront each other, these rings in this case being made of a non-magnetic material.
  • the orientation of the poles of the rings 73 and 74 is such that when the crank 51 is in a horizontal position extending forwardly from its axis of rotation the magnetic attraction between the rings 73 and 74 is at a maximum, thus maintaining the pedal oriented in a position where the upper surface of the pedal is horizontal and directed upwardly with the toe-clip extending over the pedal, so that the pedal is automatically maintained freely accessible to the foot of the cyclist when the crank 51 extends forwardly in a horizontal position from its turning axis.
  • the proper operating position for the pedal is automatically maintained by way of magnets situated in such a way that they cannot engage each other during operation of the pedal, the pedal being maintained aligned with the crank upon turning of the crank beyond its top and bottom dead center positions.
  • this embodiment provides the advantage that irrespective of the particular static equilibrium of the pedal it will necessarily be aligned with the crank, as soon as the latter turns through a given angle beyond a location such as its bottom dead center position, with the most convenient arrangement being provided as illustrated in such a way as to have the pedal assume its proper attitude for conveniently receiving the foot of the cyclist after the crank has turned through 90° beyond its top dead center position.
  • this particular embodiment assures the desired results without any apprciable increase in the weight of the pedal and/or the crank and without any appreciable modification in the structure thereof. Moreover, because only a relatively weak magnetic field is utilized, the effect thereof becomes noticeable only when the gap between the magnets is at a minimum, and thus only during an extremely small part of the angle of turning of the crank during operation of the bicycle, and even in this case only when the crank rotates at a relatively small angular speed. In other words, this embodiment does not in any way interfere with the normal operation of the bicycle, particularly inasmuch as in principle any braking, which in fact is not sensed, is necessarily the result of an equal acceleration.
  • the confronting sides of the crank and pedal respectively carry the permanent magnets which are of opposite polarity although one of these magnets can be situated between two additional magnets as set forth above.
  • This second embodiment has the relatively minor inconvenience of requiring the magnets to be situated at the outer surface regions which are situated at the sides of the crank and pedal so that the magnets are not protected from shocks and effects of weather, and at the same time the position in which the pedal is immobilized is necessarily fixed without possibility of adjustment, in alignment with the crank.
  • the third embodiment of the invention including the coaxial elements which are respectively fixed with the pedal and the shaft supporting the same, and these coaxial elements of course are spaced from each other sufficiently so that there is reliably maintained between the elements a gap adequate to prevent their mechanical engagement with each other at any time.
  • At least one of these elements is or includes a permanent magnet capable of achieving a magnetic field which is circumferentially distributed in a non-uniform manner and which is angularly positioned so that it is possible to immobilize the pedal when it is not engaged by the foot of the cyclist in a predetermined angular position with respect to the shaft which supports the pedal and thus with respect to the crank.
  • this particular angular orientation of the magnetic field is selected in such a way that the pedal is in its proper attitude for operation with its upper surface directed upwardly and with the toe clip directed forwardly after the crank has turned beyond its top dead center position by an angle of 90°. It is to be noted that before the pedal is magnetically immobilized in the latter position it will due to its own unbalance automatically assume a position which is inverted with respect to its normal position of operation, the pedal being magnetically immobilized with respect to the crank when the latter turns beyond its bottom dead center position, so that the pedal will have its proper operating position when the crank extends horizontally forwardly from its turning axis.
  • the structure will thus operate to achieve this latter condition if the magnetic immobilizing force is sufficient to overcome the unbalance of the pedal in one direction or the other, since the weight of the pedal acts alternately in opposite directions on the pedal which is immobilized magnetically with respect to the crank. It is furthermore to be noted that when the cyclist has his foot in engagement with the pedal, the immobilizing force is present only when the pedal passes through a relatively small angular distance which is situated at the part of the circle along which the pedal travels where the cyclist provides the greatest force on the pedal. Thus with this embodiment there is absolutely no appreciable restraint on the normal operation of the bicycle.
  • each pole of one of the magnetic rings can be situated between a pair of opposed poles.
  • the two magnetic components of the embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6 while being coaxial can also be situated in such a way that one of the components is situated axially beyond the other so as to provide between the components a radial rather than a cylindrical gap.
  • the rings 73 and 74 can be replaced by discs or bars respectively carried by the free end of the shaft 52 and the hollow closure member 71.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Footwear And Its Accessory, Manufacturing Method And Apparatuses (AREA)
  • Mechanical Control Devices (AREA)
  • Steering Devices For Bicycles And Motorcycles (AREA)
US05/769,694 1976-12-10 1977-02-17 Method and structure for orienting a bicycle pedal Expired - Lifetime US4103563A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR7637271A FR2373439A1 (fr) 1976-12-10 1976-12-10 Dispositif perfectionne pour faciliter l'engagement des pedales d'une bicyclette
FR7637271 1976-12-10

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US4103563A true US4103563A (en) 1978-08-01

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ID=9180909

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US05/769,694 Expired - Lifetime US4103563A (en) 1976-12-10 1977-02-17 Method and structure for orienting a bicycle pedal

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US4103563A (OSRAM)
JP (1) JPS6039593B2 (OSRAM)
CA (1) CA1114648A (OSRAM)
FR (1) FR2373439A1 (OSRAM)
GB (1) GB1597380A (OSRAM)
NL (1) NL7713672A (OSRAM)

Cited By (26)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1988009534A1 (en) * 1987-05-27 1988-12-01 Sampson Sports, Inc. Self-contained braking system for bicycle pedals
WO1989004791A1 (en) * 1987-11-16 1989-06-01 Good John M Pedal assembly
US4922786A (en) * 1988-03-14 1990-05-08 Campagnolo S.R.L. Device for preventing the rotation of a bicycle pedal relative to its pin
US5078026A (en) * 1989-01-04 1992-01-07 Giffin Brian K Bicycle pedal orientation device
US5199324A (en) * 1991-09-19 1993-04-06 Saisan Partners Adjustably variable pedal apparatus and method
US5473963A (en) * 1994-11-17 1995-12-12 Aeschbach; James F. Magnetic bicycle pedal foot retainer
US5704256A (en) * 1993-05-10 1998-01-06 De Lattre; Bertrand Device for fastening a shoe on a pedal, and shoe and pedal with such a device
US5737977A (en) * 1996-05-09 1998-04-14 Surdi; Richard J. Selectively releasable toe clip
FR2794715A1 (fr) * 1999-06-08 2000-12-15 Campagnolo Srl Pedale de bicyclette avec aimant incorpore pour l'activation d'un capteur
US20110154943A1 (en) * 2009-06-18 2011-06-30 Christian May Foot cradle apparatus of a muscle training device
EP2374701A1 (en) * 2010-04-08 2011-10-12 Wellgo Pedal's Corp. Pedal retaining apparatus
US20120252622A1 (en) * 2011-03-31 2012-10-04 Tai-Her Yang Treadle-drive eccentric wheel transmission wheel series with periodically varied speed ratio
TWI393657B (OSRAM) * 2010-04-23 2013-04-21
US20130130851A1 (en) * 2011-03-31 2013-05-23 Tai-Her Yang Treadle-drive eccentric wheel transmission wheel series with periodically varied speed ratio
US8516922B2 (en) 2010-10-14 2013-08-27 Animal Bikes, Inc. Bicycle pedal assembly
US20140171240A1 (en) * 2012-12-18 2014-06-19 Tai-Her Yang Noncircular Synchronous Transmission Pulley Set Having Periodically Varying Speed Ratio and Circumference Compensating Function
US20140171239A1 (en) * 2012-12-18 2014-06-19 Tai-Her Yang Transmission Wheel System Series with Periodically Varied Speed Ratio and Having Reciprocally Displacing Auxiliary Pulley for Storing/Releasing Kinetic Energy
US20140171241A1 (en) * 2012-12-18 2014-06-19 Tai-Her Yang Transmission wheel series with periodically varied speed ratio and having reciprocally displacing auxiliary pulley for storing/releasing kinetic energy
US9145187B2 (en) 2011-08-17 2015-09-29 Ryan Kelley Pedal positioner and method
US9950766B2 (en) 2011-08-17 2018-04-24 Ryan Kelley Pedal positioning apparatus and method of use
US10636306B2 (en) 2017-05-01 2020-04-28 Parkofon Inc. System and method for high accuracy location determination and parking
WO2020170013A1 (en) 2019-02-18 2020-08-27 Krikun Gennadij Pavlovich Bicycle pedal
US11518471B2 (en) * 2017-11-02 2022-12-06 React Active Bike Ltd. Foot propulsion assembly
DE102022203450A1 (de) 2022-04-06 2023-10-12 Sport Import GmbH Pedal mit einstellbarer rotationsbremse
US12164040B2 (en) 2022-01-27 2024-12-10 Parkofon Inc. System and method for high accuracy location determination and energy dispensing
US12306313B2 (en) 2022-04-15 2025-05-20 Parkofon Inc. System and method for high accuracy location determination and energy dispensing

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN108275238B (zh) * 2018-02-14 2024-06-04 许永红 自行车锁鞋与锁踏的锁紧装置

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US553638A (en) * 1896-01-28 Toe-clip for bicycle-pedals
US614856A (en) * 1898-11-29 Toe-clip
US622543A (en) * 1899-04-04 Hermann scherff
US651084A (en) * 1898-09-28 1900-06-05 Julius H Oppenheim Jr Toe-clip balance.

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR1180673A (fr) * 1956-05-16 1959-06-08 Pédale perfectionnée pour bicyclettes et similaires
FR2335394A1 (fr) * 1975-12-18 1977-07-15 Genzling Claude Procede et dispositifs pour faciliter l'engagement des pedales d'une bicyclette

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US553638A (en) * 1896-01-28 Toe-clip for bicycle-pedals
US614856A (en) * 1898-11-29 Toe-clip
US622543A (en) * 1899-04-04 Hermann scherff
US651084A (en) * 1898-09-28 1900-06-05 Julius H Oppenheim Jr Toe-clip balance.

Cited By (37)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1988009534A1 (en) * 1987-05-27 1988-12-01 Sampson Sports, Inc. Self-contained braking system for bicycle pedals
US4819504A (en) * 1987-05-27 1989-04-11 Sampson Sports, Inc. Self contained braking system for bicycle pedals
WO1989004791A1 (en) * 1987-11-16 1989-06-01 Good John M Pedal assembly
US4969373A (en) * 1987-11-16 1990-11-13 Good John M Pedal assembly
US4922786A (en) * 1988-03-14 1990-05-08 Campagnolo S.R.L. Device for preventing the rotation of a bicycle pedal relative to its pin
US5078026A (en) * 1989-01-04 1992-01-07 Giffin Brian K Bicycle pedal orientation device
US5199324A (en) * 1991-09-19 1993-04-06 Saisan Partners Adjustably variable pedal apparatus and method
US5704256A (en) * 1993-05-10 1998-01-06 De Lattre; Bertrand Device for fastening a shoe on a pedal, and shoe and pedal with such a device
US5473963A (en) * 1994-11-17 1995-12-12 Aeschbach; James F. Magnetic bicycle pedal foot retainer
US5737977A (en) * 1996-05-09 1998-04-14 Surdi; Richard J. Selectively releasable toe clip
FR2794715A1 (fr) * 1999-06-08 2000-12-15 Campagnolo Srl Pedale de bicyclette avec aimant incorpore pour l'activation d'un capteur
US20110154943A1 (en) * 2009-06-18 2011-06-30 Christian May Foot cradle apparatus of a muscle training device
US8667863B2 (en) * 2009-06-18 2014-03-11 Medica-Medizintechnik Gmbh Foot cradle apparatus of a muscle training device
EP2374701A1 (en) * 2010-04-08 2011-10-12 Wellgo Pedal's Corp. Pedal retaining apparatus
TWI393657B (OSRAM) * 2010-04-23 2013-04-21
US8516922B2 (en) 2010-10-14 2013-08-27 Animal Bikes, Inc. Bicycle pedal assembly
US20120252622A1 (en) * 2011-03-31 2012-10-04 Tai-Her Yang Treadle-drive eccentric wheel transmission wheel series with periodically varied speed ratio
US20130130851A1 (en) * 2011-03-31 2013-05-23 Tai-Her Yang Treadle-drive eccentric wheel transmission wheel series with periodically varied speed ratio
US9039553B2 (en) * 2011-03-31 2015-05-26 Tai-Her Yang Treadle-drive eccentric wheel transmission wheel series with periodically varied speed ratio
US20150226293A1 (en) * 2011-03-31 2015-08-13 Tai-Her Yang Treadle-drive eccentric wheel transmission wheel series with periodically varied speed ratio
US9950766B2 (en) 2011-08-17 2018-04-24 Ryan Kelley Pedal positioning apparatus and method of use
US9145187B2 (en) 2011-08-17 2015-09-29 Ryan Kelley Pedal positioner and method
US20140171239A1 (en) * 2012-12-18 2014-06-19 Tai-Her Yang Transmission Wheel System Series with Periodically Varied Speed Ratio and Having Reciprocally Displacing Auxiliary Pulley for Storing/Releasing Kinetic Energy
US9169903B2 (en) * 2012-12-18 2015-10-27 Tai-Her Yang Transmission wheel system series with periodically varied speed ratio and having reciprocally displacing auxiliary pulley for storing/releasing kinetic energy
US9243691B2 (en) * 2012-12-18 2016-01-26 Tai-Her Yang Noncircular synchronous transmission pulley set having periodically varying speed ratio and circumference compensating function
US9255629B2 (en) * 2012-12-18 2016-02-09 Tai-Her Yang Transmission wheel series with periodically varied speed ratio and having reciprocally displacing auxiliary pulley for storing/releasing kinetic energy
US20140171240A1 (en) * 2012-12-18 2014-06-19 Tai-Her Yang Noncircular Synchronous Transmission Pulley Set Having Periodically Varying Speed Ratio and Circumference Compensating Function
US20140171241A1 (en) * 2012-12-18 2014-06-19 Tai-Her Yang Transmission wheel series with periodically varied speed ratio and having reciprocally displacing auxiliary pulley for storing/releasing kinetic energy
US12482357B2 (en) 2017-05-01 2025-11-25 Parkofon Inc. System and method for high accuracy location determination
US10636306B2 (en) 2017-05-01 2020-04-28 Parkofon Inc. System and method for high accuracy location determination and parking
US11081006B2 (en) 2017-05-01 2021-08-03 Parkofon Inc. System and method for high accuracy location determination and parking
US11518471B2 (en) * 2017-11-02 2022-12-06 React Active Bike Ltd. Foot propulsion assembly
WO2020170013A1 (en) 2019-02-18 2020-08-27 Krikun Gennadij Pavlovich Bicycle pedal
US12164040B2 (en) 2022-01-27 2024-12-10 Parkofon Inc. System and method for high accuracy location determination and energy dispensing
US20250026436A1 (en) * 2022-04-06 2025-01-23 Sport Import GmbH Pedal with adjustable rotation brake
DE102022203450A1 (de) 2022-04-06 2023-10-12 Sport Import GmbH Pedal mit einstellbarer rotationsbremse
US12306313B2 (en) 2022-04-15 2025-05-20 Parkofon Inc. System and method for high accuracy location determination and energy dispensing

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
NL7713672A (nl) 1978-06-13
CA1114648A (fr) 1981-12-22
FR2373439A1 (fr) 1978-07-07
JPS5396142A (en) 1978-08-23
FR2373439B1 (OSRAM) 1982-12-03
GB1597380A (en) 1981-09-09
JPS6039593B2 (ja) 1985-09-06

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